Blackburn playing fields could be sold for over £2m

HISTORIC playing fields are to be sold off for millions by the Old Blackburnian Association for housing.

Blackburn’s Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School is set to end fees from September and it is believed that will impact on playing fields owned by the association of former students.

The Old Blackburnians Association, made up of former QEGS pupils, is proposing to sell its football club site, the Memorial Ground at Lammack Road.

However, residents are expected to be upset at thedecision, according to a local councillor.

The association expects a sale price in excess of £2million which will ensure its survival after fees are abolished.

It fears pupils at the school may no longer wish to join it after QEGS becomes a free school.

In addition to selling the land, the group is to apply for planning consent to develop the land as housing.

A letter signed by headteacher Simon Corns and key figures from QEGS and the Old Blackburnians Association said: “The development of QEGS converting to free school status in September this year, while marvellous for the future of the school, poses a threat to OBA’s annual subscription income.”

It adds: “It is proposed that we apply for planning consent for residential development in order the Memorial Ground can be subsequently sold to a property developer.”

More than 4,000 members of the group have been invited to a meeting next month to vote on the proposals.

They also include establishing two new playing fields at Wooldridge Playing Fields, Pleckgate and to purchase the freehold of Alexandra Meadows in West Park Road, home of the East Lancashire Cricket Club, to be used by both groups.

QEGS bursar Nick Edwards said: “It’s not that we particularly want to, but membership is faling and the Memorial Ground is declining. Without fees things will get worse.

“It won’t be popular as no one wants a building site in their area.

“However it is one of those decisions that have to be made if we are to carry on. “ Local councillor Mike Lee said: “Personally I feel they should keep it the way it is.

“Residents will not want more housing there and access would be difficult.

“I would urge them to find a way to keep it as it is for the sake of the area.”

A very sad situation, I guess the decline in the status of the school and the popularity of it's Old Boys Association is in many ways a reflection of how the town has fared.

What was once one of the finest academic establishments in the North with an excellent sporting tradition is reduced to selling off football pitches.

QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?

A very sad situation, I guess the decline in the status of the school and the popularity of it's Old Boys Association is in many ways a reflection of how the town has fared.
What was once one of the finest academic establishments in the North with an excellent sporting tradition is reduced to selling off football pitches.
QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?greenscreener

greenscreener wrote:
A very sad situation, I guess the decline in the status of the school and the popularity of it's Old Boys Association is in many ways a reflection of how the town has fared.

What was once one of the finest academic establishments in the North with an excellent sporting tradition is reduced to selling off football pitches.

QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?

White Flight if we were honest. Bit like what will happen to QEGS.

[quote][p][bold]greenscreener[/bold] wrote:
A very sad situation, I guess the decline in the status of the school and the popularity of it's Old Boys Association is in many ways a reflection of how the town has fared.
What was once one of the finest academic establishments in the North with an excellent sporting tradition is reduced to selling off football pitches.
QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?[/p][/quote]White Flight if we were honest. Bit like what will happen to QEGS.ghost of sceptic

Legal Beagle wrote:
&quot;QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?"

Do you really want an answer to that?

Don't tempt me!

[quote][p][bold]Legal Beagle[/bold] wrote:
"QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?"
Do you really want an answer to that?[/p][/quote]Don't tempt me!Stone Island:

greenscreener wrote:
A very sad situation, I guess the decline in the status of the school and the popularity of it's Old Boys Association is in many ways a reflection of how the town has fared.

What was once one of the finest academic establishments in the North with an excellent sporting tradition is reduced to selling off football pitches.

QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?

White Flight if we were honest. Bit like what will happen to QEGS.

Yes and we all know why this is ? Dont we !

[quote][p][bold]ghost of sceptic[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]greenscreener[/bold] wrote:
A very sad situation, I guess the decline in the status of the school and the popularity of it's Old Boys Association is in many ways a reflection of how the town has fared.
What was once one of the finest academic establishments in the North with an excellent sporting tradition is reduced to selling off football pitches.
QEGS, Rovers, Thwaites, all lost their way, just what is Blackburn famous for these days ?[/p][/quote]White Flight if we were honest. Bit like what will happen to QEGS.[/p][/quote]Yes and we all know why this is ? Dont we !Steven11

What's caused the decline of QEGS so that in the end it volunteered for nationalisation?

Two things. The rising standards in state schools, especially the best ones, closed the gap in performance. In fact the best state schools in the area now outperform QEGS in GCSE results. And then the economic crash of 2007-08 meant that people had less money.

So you need to tighten your belt and you have a choice of paying thousands of pounds of school fees for an education no better than you can get for free - or not. Its a bit of a no brainer.

What's caused the decline of QEGS so that in the end it volunteered for nationalisation?
Two things. The rising standards in state schools, especially the best ones, closed the gap in performance. In fact the best state schools in the area now outperform QEGS in GCSE results. And then the economic crash of 2007-08 meant that people had less money.
So you need to tighten your belt and you have a choice of paying thousands of pounds of school fees for an education no better than you can get for free - or not. Its a bit of a no brainer.Excluded again

manin8lack wrote:
Were will the access be to the Development,the Old Blackburnians only have a car width track access to the pitches.

Probably ordered the rubber stamp for planning already but it won't be a single track will it ??

[quote][p][bold]manin8lack[/bold] wrote:
Were will the access be to the Development,the Old Blackburnians only have a car width track access to the pitches.[/p][/quote]Probably ordered the rubber stamp for planning already but it won't be a single track will it ??ConcernedOssy

manin8lack wrote:
Were will the access be to the Development,the Old Blackburnians only have a car width track access to the pitches.

Probably ordered the rubber stamp for planning already but it won't be a single track will it ??

[quote][p][bold]manin8lack[/bold] wrote:
Were will the access be to the Development,the Old Blackburnians only have a car width track access to the pitches.[/p][/quote]Probably ordered the rubber stamp for planning already but it won't be a single track will it ??ConcernedOssy

Oh , don't get me going , oh go on then , now you have started , it could be an open grass praying field ! Stop it .

[quote][p][bold]shirtbox[/bold] wrote:
Is QUEGS to become an Islamic Academy I wonder.?[/p][/quote]Oh , don't get me going , oh go on then , now you have started , it could be an open grass praying field ! Stop it .Steven11